Device for holding hinged closures in open positions



1 'Sept. 6,1938. H. H. EDELE Y Y 2,129,412

DEVICE FOR HOLDING HINGED CLOSURES IN OPEN POSITIONS Filed Nov. 8, 19572 Sheets-Sheet 1 Bye/26 0i Sept. 6, 1938. H, H. EDELE 2,129,412

DEVICE FOR HOLDING HINGED CLOSURES IN OPEN POSITIONS Filed Nov. 8, 19372 Sheets-Sheet 2 j7z0e/zfw' Harry/1- fdeie Q/Jf/MW W7.

Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR HOLDINGHINGED CLOSURES IN OPEN POSITIONS 6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices forholding hinged closures in open position. I

In hinged closures which are hinged at the top and swing on horizontallydisposed pivots,

such as basement windows, it is necessary to provide means for holdingthe window open. Generally a hook and eye is used for this purpose. Thisis unsatisfactory for several reasons as it is necessary to use bothhands in opening and closing the window; the hook which is generallyattached to the floor joist or ceiling of the basement is unsightly andusually hard to reach; and, furthermore, it is not possible to regulatethe extent of the opening of the window.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device which isattached to the window frame and to the window sash and is automaticallyoperated to hold the window in open position and which is neat inappearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed which can be operated to open the closure member to the fullextent or to open it only partially in any number of various positionsand which is automatically operated by the movement of said closuremember.

Additional objects of the invention are to provide a device for basementwindows and the like which can be easily attached in position, is ofsimple but durable construction, and. can be economically manufactured.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certainnovel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinaftermore fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accopmanyingdrawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my deviceshowing it attached in position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse cross section taken on line 3 -3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmental longitudinal cross section showing the devicein position when the window is being closed.

Figure 5 is a perspective detail view of the pawl member.

Figure 6 is aside elevation partly in cross section of a modified formof my invention.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross section of my device.

Figure 8 is a cross section taken on line 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a cross section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 6 and showingthe pawl in a moved position.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, N) indicates one ofthe stiles of a window frame and l l a sash window which is hinged atthe top to said frame as shown at I2. I4 is a device provided forholding the sash open in any position.

This device includes an elongated housing l5 fixed to the stile l0longitudinally thereof and near one of the upper corners of sash II, abracket l6 fixed to the window sash ll adjacent to the upper end of saidhousing, and a link I! pivotally connected at its upper end to saidbracket, as indicated at l8 and having its lower or free end l9operatively extending into said housing.

The bracket l6 has its shank portion bent or offset as indicated at lfiain order to bring the outer end thereof adjacent to the upper end oflink H. In this manner link I1 is not distorted and the device can beused at either side of the sash simply by transposing the bracket Hi.

The housing l5 comprises a base plate and a cover 2!. The ends of theplate 20 extend beyond the ends of cover 2! and are apertured to receivescrews 22 by means of which said housing is secured to the window frame.The cover 2! is detachable from said plate and is secured thereto in anysuitable manner. A longitudinally disposed bar 24 is secured to base 20to one side of the longitudinal axis of said housing. This bar is formedwith a horizontally and longitudinally disposed ledge 25 which is spaceda suitable distance from base 20 to provide a clearance or space 25a.The ends of this ledge terminate short of the ends of cover 2| so as toprovide spaces or clearances 26 and 21, respectively. The upper face ofthis ledge is formed with a plurality of ratchet teeth 28 presentedrearwardly or toward the pivot I 8.

The outer or lower end l9 of link l! is disposed angularly to said linkand enters said housing l5 through a slot 29 formed longitudinally incover 2|. A block or pawl 3c is pivotally mounted on the extremity ofsaid end l9, as indicated at 3|. A tooth 32 extends laterally from saidpawl and is adapted to engage the ratchet teeth 28 of bar 24. A spring34 engages block 38 and presses it downwardly or toward the base 24.

Block 39 occupies a position in housing l5 to one side of the bar 2t andthe ratchet teeth portion 25 while the tooth 32 is disposed in thevertical planeof said portion 25. When the window is closed the partsoccupy positions shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this position block 30 isdisposed in the forward end of housing 15 with the tooth 32 disposedforwardly of the forward end of the ratchet bar 25. The underside oftooth 32 is curved, as indicated at 3260, and when the window is movedinto open position bracket l6 raises the upper end of said link so thatthe curved underside 32a of tooth 32 moves upwardly over the toothedface of the bar 25. As the tooth 32 passes each tooth 28, the end 32?)of said tooth 32 is adapted to engage the straight face of the tooth 28,thereby holding said block 38 against retrograde movement and holdingsaid window in open position, as shown in dot anddash lines in Figure 2.Thus each tooth 28 represents a predetermined open position of thewindow.

When it is desired to close the Window it is moved to its extreme upperor open position, whereupon the block 35 will move past the upper orrear end of ledge 25 and will drop against the base plate 20. This willposition the tooth 32 below the ledge 25 and as the window is moved intoclosed position block 39 will travel forwardly with the tooth 32traversing the space 2511, as shown in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 4.Upon reaching the extreme forward position, i. e., when the window isclosed, the parts will assume position shown in full lines in Figure 2.

In the modified form shown in Figures 6 to 9, a ratchet tooth member 35is formed integrally with the base 36. One side of the latter is formedwith an extension which terminates short of the ends of said base and isbent upwardly as indicated at 35a and then horizontally as at 3617 andthen again upwardly to present the teeth 35 upwardly. The horizontalportion 36b is spaced suitably from the base 35 to provide alongitudinally disposed runway 31 open on one side and at both ends. Anelongated pawl 38 is pivotally mounted at one end to a bracket 39 by apivot 39a. This bracket is fixed to a closure member 40 while the base35 is fixed to a stationary member 4|.

The outer or free end of arm 38 is formed with a laterally projectingtooth 38a which traverses the vertical plane of teeth 35.

A leaf spring 42 is fixed at one end to the underside of base 36 asindicated at M, and extends through an opening in said base into saidrunway 31 and forwardly and diagonally thereof with the free and 42aprojecting a suitable distance past the forward end of the tooth member35 and runway 3?.

A housing 45 is attached to the base 35 and encloses said tooth member35 and runway 37 and the free end of arm 38. The top and one end of saidhousing is slotted as indicated at 46 to allow said arm to operatetherethrough.

When the closure member 30 is closed the parts occupy positions shown infull lines in Figure 6, with the pawl or tooth 38a resting upon the freeprojecting end 42a. When the closure member is moved to open positionthe arm 38 is moved forwardly and the tooth 38a rides over the teeth ofmember 35. The reverse movement of the arm 38 is prevented by theengagement of the tooth 38a with the square side of said tooth. Thus theclosure member can be supported in any number of positions by theengagement of tooth 38a with the corresponding tooth of ratchet member35.

To close member ii! the latter is opened to cause the tooth 38a to movepast the rear or upper end of member 35, whereupon the free end of intothe position shown in Figure 6.

A coiled spring 47 is arranged on the pivot 39a and connected to arm 38and tends to hold the tooth 38a against the teeth of member 35 andagainst the base 36 when cleared of member 35. The tension of thisspring 4'! is less than that of leaf spring 42 so that the latter iscapable of raising the free end of said arm 38 as described.

My device is of simple construction, can be easily applied, and isreliable in operation.

While I have disclosed herein my invention as being applied to a window,it can be equally as well used in connection with bread boxes, trunks,chests and with other hinged closure members. It is obvious that variouschanges can be made in the construction and arrangement of parts of mydevice without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class describe-d comprising a stationary housing, aratchet tooth member disposed longitudinally therein, a bracket adaptedto be fixed to a hinged closure member, an arm pivotally mounted at oneend to said bracket and having its free end extending into said housinga pawl pivotally mounted on said free end for cooperating with saidteeth when moved in one direction to hold said closure member in aplurality of open positions, said pawl being displaceable upon thecompletion of the opening movement of said closure member to move out oflocking engagement with said teeth and allow the return movement of saidarm and of said closure member.

2. A device of the class described comprising a stationary housing, aratchet tooth member disposed longitudinally therein and terminatingshort of the ends thereof, a bracket adapted to be fixed to a hingedclosure member, an arm pivotally fixed to said bracket and having oneend extending into said housing, a pawl pivotally mounted on said freeend of said arm for engaging said ratchet teeth and supporting saidclosure member in a number of open positions, said pawl being movable bysaid arm past the ends of said ratchet tooth member whereby upon thecompletion of the opening movement of said closure member said pawl ismoved out of engagement with said ratchet teeth to allow the closing ofsaid closure member.

3. A device of the class described comprising a base, a ratchet toothmember disposed longitudinally thereof in spaced relation therewith toprovide a longitudinal runway between said member and said base, abracket adapted to be fixed to a hinged closure member, an arm pivotallymounted at one end on said bracket and extending longitudinally of saidtooth member, a laterally disposed member fixed to the free end of saidarm and operating over said ratchet teeth when said closure member ismoved into an open position to hold the latter in a plurality of openpositions, and means for moving said lateral member upon the completionof the opening movement into said runway out of engagement with saidratchet teeth whereby said closure member can return to closed position.

4. A device of the class'described comprising a base, a ratchet toothmember disposed longitudinally thereof in spaced relation therewith toprovide a longitudinally disposed runway therebetween, a bracket adaptedto be fixed to a hinged closure member, an arm pivotally mounted at oneend on said bracket and extending longitudinally of said tooth member,and a springpressed pawl pivotally mounted on the free end of said armand adapted to engage said teeth when said closure member is moved intoopen position to support the latter in such position, said pawl beingmovable intosaid runway out of engagement with said teeth upon thecompletion of the opening movement so as to allow the closing movementof said closure member.

5. A device of the class described comprising a stationary base, ahousing fixed to said base and provided with a longitudinal slot, aratchet tooth member arranged on said base longitudinally thereof andterminating at both ends short of said housing, said tooth member beingspaced from said base to provide a longitudinal runway open on one sideand at both ends, a bracket adapted tobe fixed to a hinged closuremember, an arm pivotally mounted on one end on said bracket andextending longitudinally of said housing and having its free endextending thereinto through said slot, a lateral extension on the freeend of said arm for engaging said ratchet teeth and hold said closuremember in a plurality of open positions, said lateral member beingmovable past one end of said ratchet member upon the completion of theopening movement to enter said runway and permit the return movement ofparts associated with said lateral member, and spring means for urgingsaid lateral member in the direction of said teeth and of said runway.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a closuremember hinged on horizontal pivots and gravity-operated into a closedposition, of a bracket fixed to said closure memher, a stationaryhousing fixed adjacent to one side of said closure member, a ratchettooth member disposed longitudinally in said housing, an arm pivotallymounted at one end tosaid bracket and having its free end extending intosaid housing, a pawl fixed on said free end of said arm and adapted toengage any one of said ratchet teeth to support said closure member in aplurality of open positions, and means for displacing said pawl upon thecompletion of the opening movement of said closure member to disengagesaid pawl from said teeth and permit the return movement thereof andparts associated therewith.

HARRY H. EDELE.

